90th Anniversary - The 1970s

Columbia Housing 90th Anniversary, 1934-2024

Yvonda A. Bean
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

Columbia Housing Celebrates 90 Years of Rich History

This year - in 2024 - Columbia Housing celebrates its 90th anniversary and its rich history as one of the country's first established Public Housing Authorities.

Over the next few weeks, we are excited to share that rich history with you in a 9-part series that takes you on a journey through the decades. This is our 5th installment.

The 1970s: Growth & Development Continues

The 1970s were great construction and development years for Columbia Housing Authority.

As the application waiting list continued to grow, Columbia Housing began construction on its 9th development-a 30-acre community built for large families. Latimer Manor featured 30 two-bedroom units, 70 three-bedroom units, 80 four-bedroom units and 20 five-bedroom apartments.

To continue to meet the growing need for housing for the elderly, the groundbreaking for the Marion Street High-Rise was held in December 1972. The 16-story High-Rise included 146 apartments-85 efficiency units and 60 one-bedroom units. Residents moved in February 1975.

Hammond Village was added to the agency's portfolio in June 1976. The 16-acre site featured 12 one-bedroom apartments, 52 two-bedroom apartments, and 14 three-bedroom apartments.

During the 1970s, the style of the large community complexes seemed to fade. The new style of scattered sites, single family homes, and smaller locations made a great change to the face of public housing.

In 1976, Columbia Housing Authority purchased 75-single family homes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The homes were scattered throughout Richland County to decentralize low-income families. The homes were purchased with funds from HUD's Development Program.

In March of 1976, the Columbia Housing Authority ratified an agreement to begin administering a new housing program called Section 8 that would ultimately serve to further reinforce the concept of scattered site housing. That program has grown exponentially with thousands receiving assistance each year.

Be on the lookout for the 6th installment of our 9-part series:
Columbia Housing: The 1980s

Columbia Housing and Cayce Housing provide housing to more than 6,500 families in its Housing Choice Voucher Program, Public Housing Program, and Tax Credit Properties encompassing more than 16,000 individuals across 24 properties in Columbia and Richland County. Columbia Housing is governed by a 7-member board with day-to-day operations under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team.

Board of Commissioners:

Ernest W. Cromartie, III, Esq., Chairman
Kara Simmons, Vice-Chair
James Chatfield, Commissioner
George Green, Commissioner
Selena Pickens, Commissioner
Kevin Werner, Commissioner

1917 Harden Street • Columbia, SC 29204

CHCares@ColumbiaHousingSC.org
ColumbiaHousingSC.org
Equal Housing Opportunity Provider & ADA Accessible